Dame Lillard burns the Miami Heat with 32 points, giving the Blazers #10inarow, after win; Portland is the real deal, but can they beat the Warriors or Rockets, in the playoffs?

During the 2015-2016 season, Damian Lillard made noise, delivering an MVP-worthy season. Expected to bottom out, the Portland Trail Blazers not only made the playoffs, but they beat the Clippers in the first round. The second round even saw them get a win over Golden State.

Damian Lillard, ahead of last season, said he had goals of Portland finally making the Conference Finals. Last season saw them barely hang on for the playoffs. Coming into this season, few were paying any attention to Portland, but they’re the NBA’s hottest team, right now.

Tonight, the Portland Trail Blazers finished the Miami Heat off, blowing them out. This gives them their tenth win in a row, firmly placing them third in the West, and fifth in the league. The team, once again, won behind a strong performance from Damian Lillard, who notched 32 points in the win, close to his 34 points a game average, during this ten game win streak.

Damian Lillard is balling insane, right now, and the Blazers are peaking at the right time, much like the Raptors, in the East. The same question for the Raptors remains the same for the Blazers, though. As good as Portland has played, they have come up short, time and time again, in the playoffs, but is this year different?

Portland, if they stay in third, are guaranteed to play either Houston or Golden State, in the second round. This is on top of likely playing the New Orleans Pelicans, or Minnesota Timberwolves, in the first round. Does Damian Lillard, and his Portland Trail Blazers, have what it takes to knock them off, then either Houston or Golden State, to then play Houston or Golden State, in the Conference Finals, not even mentioning NBA Finals?

Watch highlights of the Trail Blazers against the Rockets and Warriors, in 2018, below: